Islamabad, 21 March 2025: Renowned author Ashis Ray has suggested that cricket and cultural exchanges could help ease tensions between Pakistan and India.
Speaking at an event organized by the Institute of Peace and Connectivity (IPAC), he highlighted the role of sports and entertainment in fostering goodwill between the two nations.
He proposed that Pakistani players should be allowed to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian cricketers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Such an exchange, the first bureau chief of CNN for South Asia argued , would generate positive sentiment among cricket fans across the borders.
Ashis Ray stressed the need for independent cricket boards and cross-border artistic exchanges to strengthen cultural ties between the neighboring countries.
Regarding the decision of India not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, Ray remarked that security concerns would have been a valid reason, but political motives were not.
He urged point forfeiture for politically motivated withdrawals, advocated social media for connectivity, and proposed joint ventures in film and music.
Ray further added that immediate dialogue between arch-rivals, comparing it to the diplomatic breakthroughs between the U.S. and Russia.
He noted the past offer of Trump to mediate and suggested he could still encourage talks, highlighting India’s focus on terrorism and Pakistan’s on Kashmir.
Recalling past peace efforts, Ray praised former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri’s contributions, highlighting the progress made between 2004 and 2008.
He cited Kasuri’s book, Neither a Hawk nor a Dove, as evidence of how close both sides had come to resolving key disputes.
Kasuri also spoke at the event, stressing that shifting global geopolitics could provide a window for improved ties. However, he warned that terrorism posed a significant challenge.
He expressed concern that rising nationalist rhetoric in India had contributed to deteriorating relations but noted that history had shown improvements could happen unexpectedly.
